Sidmouth Under-15s rounded off their season by hosting a London Division side Old Emmanuals, situation in South-West London close to Wimbledon, and defeated them 7-5.

The tourists, who have enjoyed a successful season themselves, getting promoted from their local league, were hoping to end their season on a high.

Following a long dry period, the pitch was firm, but the rain had set in, making the conditions slippery for both sets of players.

The initial exchanges were cagey, both teams keeping it tight, the visitors were the first to break the gain line with a strong burst from their three quarters, the home side scrambled and thwarted the attack just five yards from the line and successfully cleared the danger.

Twenty minutes into the game there were still no points on the score board as two well-matched sides went toe-to-toe.

Despite the conditions, great handling skills were on display, Sidmouth just tipping the balance with strong running and making ground with the ball in hand, but the visitors getting dominance around the breakdown and showing some very impressive rucking skills.

The home side then possibly witnessed the tackle of the season! The visitors broke through the defence with a clear run in ahead of them, a try looked a certainty, but, out of nowhere, Ollie Jones sprinted back, showing huge guts and determination and managed to execute an outstanding try-saving diving tap tackle!

The deadlock was finally broken just before half-time; good territory was gained by the home side due to some intelligent kicking from fly-half Cole Monoghan which led to a line out close to the visitors’ try line.

The Sidmouth forwards were applying pressure at the ensuing maul, making it very difficult for the visitors to clear their try line.

Impressive line speed led to a charge down, instigated by captain Alex Peacock, who has led from the front all season. Peacock, with superb speed of thought, pounced on the loose ball and quickly ground it over the try line.

Cole obliged by neatly kicking the conversion which later proved to be crucial.

By the time the second half had started, if anything the conditions has deteriorated with the rain getting heavier, this didn’t put any of the boys off, it was obvious that both sides wanted to end their respective seasons with a win!

The Old Emmanuals rotated their squad to bring on fresh legs, managed to get the ball wide to some powerful strike runners, which led to score to the visitors, bringing the score line to 7-5, with about 15 minutes to go.

The final period was not about flowing rugby, but it was impressive to see the teams desire to defend, to work as a team, keep their discipline and to grind out a result.

The tourists coaches explaining after their game that in each game they have played this season they have recorded a minimum of four tries in all of them, their big and imposing ball carriers no doubt used to greater success, but to a man each of them couldn’t breach the home side’s defence.

This brought the curtain down on an extremely rewarding season for the Sidmouth Under-15s